Unresolved booking issue

<p>I have been trying for two hours to resolve my booking issue with SAA telephonically. I booked a flight last week, JHB to CT. When I submitted the booking I was diverted to a page saying the booking could not be confirmed at the time but would be done via email later. Worried, I called SAA and spoke to an agent who confirmed the booking was made. I recieved an email confirming this. I was not requested telephonically or via email to make a payment separately, and assumed payment would be credited from the credit card details I entered when booking online. When I tried today to check-in online, I was informed that the booking had been cancelled because no payment was recieved. I now been offered the ticket at four times the price I made the booking at!! How this is acceptable recourse for a problem that incurred as a result of SAA's system and processes?</p>